Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has taken further steps to contain an outbreak of bird flu, which has affected a number of duck and goose farms in southern Taiwan.
CDC Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang said on Monday that there is no way to rule out the possibility of virus mutation. He said the government will conduct further research to minimize the risks.
“According to the information available and the studies we have conducted in Taiwan, there have been no clinical cases of bird -to-human transmission of the H5N2 or H5N8 viruses," However, since the two viruses are new to Taiwan, we will exercise caution and take blood samples from those who might have been exposed. We will use them to conduct further research to evaluate how the new viruses could affect or pose a hazard to human beings.”
Chuang said the CDC has already conducted follow-up health checks on 234 people working at seven fowl farms island-wide and will announce the results on Tuesday. Three people have reportedly developed flu-like symptoms, including a sore throat, stuffy nose and coughing, although Taiwan is now in the peak flu season.
The CDC is calling on the public to thoroughly cook eggs, chicken and duck meat before eating, and to immediately wash their hands after processing the foods.